71st Annual Hunger Games.
Chapter Three
Thirteen-year-old Alex stands on the stage with a drunk Haymitch and a killer migraine. She didn't sleep well the night before and the doctor found out they stopped making her medicine so he is switching her's around. So because he lives in the Capitol, she will be seeing him there.
"Amber Simpson." Watching a tall girl walk onto the stage, the girl is twice the height if her and twice the weight.
"Eric White." Walking into the Hall of Justice, Alex says goodbye to family telling them she will be back and that she is just to help these tributes to stay alive, if it's possible.
Finally, on the train, Alex is in her room when there is a knock and Effie, the new host who is twenty, which she read in the folder that she was given, asks her to join her and the two tributes.
After getting Haymitch, Alex and Haymitch join the two tributes and sit there silently. What is there to say? Congratulations?
"What are your strengths?" Alex asks curiously looking at the eighteen-year-olds.
"I was born and raised in District Two." Eric offers.
"She said strengths not history." Haymitch snaps.
"No Haymitch, this is good." Alex raises a hand at him, "And what did you learn?" Alex asks Eric.
"Everything."
"So Amber will have three District Two people in the arena this year to face." Haymitch shakes his head, "That's sick and isn't fair. You are trained to kill. Amber isn't."
"Just because you are from One or Two, doesn't mean you are naturally going to win. You are going to lose because you lost your soul." Alex comments.
"I agree." Amber nods, "And my parents said neither of us will win."
"Prove them wrong." Alex argues, "And I believe in the both of you."
"You really think one of us can win?" Eric asks.
"One or both of you." Alex nods, "It happened to Haymitch and I, it can happen to you."
~K&A~
After helping them to get ready for the Tribute Parade, the next day it is time for training. Alex escorts Amber to the Training Centre while Haymitch is behind them with Eric. They are talking to them about how well they did the night before while their tributes stay silent.
"Okay, you don't play your strengths in training. You learn." Haymitch orders, "Learn the plants first like Alex did, they will come in handy, many think the weapons will come in handy, the answer is no, the plants will."
"Haymitch is correct, I lived off of plants and berries in the arena while everyone was starving." Alex agrees.
After the tributes are in the Training Centre, Haymitch starts laughing leaving Alex confused.
"You seriously didn't see Amber staring at you and drooling did you?" Haymitch chuckles.
"What?" Alex looks at him like he's nuts, "Did you have vodka?"
"No, but Amber has been staring at you this entire time and you didn't see her. She has the hots for you."
"Amber? Yeah right." Alex blushes.
"Your into girls anyways. Why not try the fling?"
"Why not try a fling yourself with Eric?" Alex teases.
"I will, if he was a girl." As the elevator rises, Alex laughs with Haymitch after reminding him that she is only THIRTEEN! Barely thirteen at that.
When training is done for that day, Alex and Haymitch are sitting outside when Amber joins her and Haymitch continues to read his book with a smirk on his face. Alex rolls her eyes and faces Amber.
"So how was training?" Alex asks the older girl who looks at her nervously.
"Terrifying. Everyone is all muscle and I'm the weakling." Amber admits.
"Been there, done that." Alex chuckles, "But I know you will make it far or even will win this thing. The others will get cocky."
"How is it you are so calm?"
"If you freak out, you show your emotions and aren't ready. You have to stay calm and clear your mind."
"You're thirteen, how do you know this?" Amber asks curiously.
"Haymitch and therapy." Alex chuckles, "Plus my dad's mother was a doctor."
As they continue to talk, Haymitch watches Amber move closer and closer to Alex and if Alex knows she doesn't show. Finally, Amber kisses Alex on the lips and Haymitch smirks as Eric steps out silently.
"What's going on out here?" Eric asks interrupting confused, making Amber and Alex to break Alex's first kiss.
"Just watching Alex's first kiss." Haymitch answers watching the two girls, "I knew this was going to happen, so Alex are you going to kiss her back?"
"I did kiss her back." Alex blushes glaring at Haymitch who laughs, "I hate you."
"I love you too, little sister."
Eric looks at his mentor and opponent disgusted and looks at Haymitch, "I'm against lesbians and gays, I want to work alone. And not with the short kid."
"Hey!" Alex stands up and Amber holds her back before Alex could attack him, "I might be younger than you but at least I'm alive."
"Don't worry Alex, it's not like Eric will win this thing, he's too cocky." Haymitch comments looking him up and down, "But I will grant your request. Amber, you will work alone with Alex and I will pop in once in a while."
"All they will do is kiss." Eric mutters walking away but Alex trips him.
"Oops, sorry, my foot slipped." Alex smirks as Haymitch chuckles.
"Sorry, that's a classic and she did it to me in the arena to save my life." Haymitch grins, "Learn the lesson, Eric."
~A&K~
When it comes time for the arena, Alex kisses Amber goodbye and for luck. Amber pulls Alex toward her and deepens the kiss and forces her tongue into Alex's mouth, which Alex pulls away and backs away.
"I'm sorry Alex. I know I'm going to die." Amber starts.
"No. I'm only thirteen, Amber, you're eighteen. This is a fling." Alex states, "If you want it to become something you have to fight your way back to me, you have to promise me you will fight with everything you have."
"I'm scared." Amber admits.
"I know, I was terrified but act cool, pretend it doesn't bother you, then when you are alone, remember all of Panem is watching. Play smart. Look for water; water is your new best friend. Look for berries, look for plants; they are your new best friends. Grab the furthest bag if you can if you can't don't bother. If you can run fast, get one, if you can't run fast, don't bother."
As the elevator stops, Alex stops speaking and they step out to see the hovercraft waiting for them.
"Fight your hardest and play smart." Alex offers Amber a smile before Amber kisses her cheek and walks away silently.
Eric placed seventh in the 71st Annual Hunger Games. Amber placed second in the 71st Annual Hunger Games before getting mulled to death.
